X
Turn cap 0043further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
0087 in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank 0044.
If the coolant level is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar 0087in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in expansion tank 0044.
X If necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap 0043and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 348).
Adding washer fluid to the windshield
washer system/headlamp cleaning
system G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot
engine components or the exhaust system it
could ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer
concentrate is spilled next to the filler neck. Example: washer fluid reservoir
X
To open: pull cap0043upwards by the tab.
X Add the premixed washer fluid.
X To close: press cap 0043onto the filler neck
until it engages. Further information on windshield washer
fluid/antifreeze (Y
page 349).
Brake fluid level !
If you notice that the brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
MIN mark or less, check the brake system
immediately for leaks. Also check the
thickness of the brake linings. Visit a
qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not
correct the error. Only check the brake fluid level when the
vehicle is on a level surface.
If the brake fluid level is between MIN
mark
0043and MAX mark 0044on the brake fluid
reservoir, it is correct. Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see the separate Maintenance
Booklet).
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The ASSYST service interval display informs
you of the next service due date.
If a service due date has been exceeded, you
also hear a warning tone.286
MaintenanceMaintenance and care
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop as
soon as possible. Care
General notes
G
WARNING
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle's doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner. Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Exterior care
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle. Fold in
the exterior mirrors before the vehicle is
washed. The exterior mirrors could
otherwise be damaged.
! Make sure that the automatic
transmission is in position Nwhen washing
your vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The
vehicle could be damaged if the
transmission is in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (airflow control is turned to
position 0/the0058and0056 buttons
are switched off).
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start. 288
CareMaintenance and care
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in all
countries concerned.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, also
clean the inside of the wheels.
X Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
Power washers G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged tires or chassis components replaced
immediately.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the wheels !
Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Cleaning the paintwork !
Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items Care
289Maintenance and care Z
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Remove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. This is the case approximately every
three to five months, depending on the
climate conditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or if
the paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
X Use a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to correct smaller areas of
paint damage quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care !
Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or
polishing products, or gloss preserver, e.g.
wax. These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles with matte finish leads to considerable
surface damage (shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
If your vehicle has a clear matte finish,
observe the following instructions in order to
avoid damage to the paintwork due to
incorrect care.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
i The vehicle should preferably be washed
by hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo
and plenty of water.
i Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of recommended and
approved Mercedes-Benz care products.
Cleaning the windows G
WARNING
You could become trapped by the windshield
wipers if they start moving while cleaning the
windshield or wiper blades. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windshield or
wiper blades.
! Do not use dry cloths, abrasive products,
solvents or cleaning agents containing
solvents to clean the inside of the windows.
Do not touch the insides of the windows
with hard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or
ring. There is otherwise a risk of damaging
the windows.
! Clean the water drainage channels of the
windshield and the rear window at regular
intervals. Deposits such as leaves, petals
and pollen may under certain
circumstances prevent water from draining
away. This can lead to corrosion damage
and damage to electronic components. 290
CareMaintenance and care
X
Pull cover ring 0043apart and remove it.
X Pull off cover panel 0085.i
When re-installing cover panel 0085, make
sure that retainer 0083engages in recess
0084.
Removing the spare wheel The spare wheel is heavy. Take particular note
of this when removing the spare wheel. X
Remove wheel nuts 0043.
X Remove the spare wheel. Mounting the wheel After changing a wheel:
X
Repair or replace the damaged wheel as
soon as possible and secure the spare
wheel in place again.
X Secure the damaged wheel on the spare
wheel bracket with wheel nuts 0043. When
doing so, make sure that the wheel cannot
come loose.
X When re-installing cover panel 0085, make
sure that retainer 0084engages in recess
0083(Y page 297).
X Make sure that tab 0044is below when re-
installing cover ring 0043(Ypage 297).
X For safety reasons, regularly check to
ensure that the wheel is securely fastened. Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
X Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away as possible from
traffic.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 104).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Move the selector lever to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
The steering wheel lock stays active for as
long as the SmartKey is removed.
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier. 298
Flat tireBreakdown assistance
If the indicator/warning lamps do not light up at temperatures around or below freezing point,
the discharged battery is likely to be frozen (a commonplace scenario). In this case, do not
jump-start the vehicle or recharge the battery.
Once the battery has thawed out, its service life may be dramatically reduced.
The starting characteristics can be impaired, particularly at low temperatures.
It is recommended that you have the thawed out battery checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Do not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper
cables. Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
R Vehicles with a gasoline engine: only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust
system are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R Only use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
R the jumper leads are not damaged.
R when the jumper cables are connected to the battery, uninsulated sections of the terminal
clamp do not come into contact with other metal sections.
R The jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts such as the pulley or the fan. These
parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever to position P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).
X Open the hood (Y page 283).304
Jump-startingBreakdown assistance
Position number
0084identifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
The jump-start terminal point consists of terminals 0044and 0085.
X Lift up cover 0043of positive terminal 0044in the direction of the arrow.
X Connect positive terminal 0044on your vehicle to positive terminal 0085of donor battery 0084
using the jumper cable. beginning with your own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
X Connect negative terminal 0083of donor battery 0084to ground point 0087of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery 0084first.
X Start the engine.
X First, remove the jumper cable from ground point 0087and negative terminal 0083, then from
positive terminal 0044and positive terminal 0085, each time disconnecting from the battery on
your own vehicle first.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jumper cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore, deactivate HOLD and DISTRONIC PLUS if the
vehicle is to be towed.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded. Towing and tow-starting
305Breakdown assistance Z
Rear towing eye
0043is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel. Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 305).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 104).
i In order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the
combination switch as usual. In this case,
only the turn signals for the desired
direction flash. When you reset the
combination switch, the hazard warning
lamps start flashing again.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 139).
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Shift the transfer case to
neutral(Y page 195).
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 157).
i The transmission can only change gear if
the battery has sufficient charge.
If you cannot move the selector lever to N,
the propeller shafts to the driven axles
must be removed. Transporting the vehicle
! You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged. Use the towing eyes to pull the vehicle if it
needs to be transported on a trailer or
transporter (Y
page 306).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 139).
X Move the selector lever to N.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral
(Y page 195).
X Secure the towing cable to the towing eyes
(Y page 306).
X Make sure that the vehicle cannot roll
away.
X Release the parking brake.
X Load the vehicle onto the transporter.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
X Apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock (Y page 139) and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle. Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
! When recovering a vehicle that has
become stuck, pull it as smoothly and
evenly as possible. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels have become stuck in
loose or muddy ground, pull the vehicle out
with extreme caution, especially so if the
vehicle is loaded.
Never attempt to recover a stuck vehicle with
a trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck. Towing and tow-starting
307Breakdown assistance Z